AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets drives agains the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.

Mike Malone felt his telephone buzz last weekend in the Pepsi Center following his Nuggets team beat the Clippers. Will Barton texted his coach with a very simple request. More accurately, a test for when the Thunder came to town on Tuesday.

Barton wrote: “I wish to guard Paul George. ”

Malone’s response: “You’ve got it. ”

“I just wanted to challenge myself,” Barton said. “Give Paul George credit. He’s among the greatest players in the NBA this season and having an MVP-caliber season. I wanted to try to make it as hard as I could for him. … Not wanting to be embarrassed or cooked (national) TV. ”

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Mission accomplished. The Nuggets beat Oklahoma City, 121-112, their fifth straight win against the Thunder, and Barton’s pestering defense gave George fits. He shot 7-of-24 in the field, including 3-of-14 from deep, while still leading the Thunder with 25 points that were unsuccessful. Barton’s 23 points scored, equally impressive, and poured in using the same flare that earned him the nickname “Thrill” and a new $53 million contract last offseason.

“He seemed like the Will Barton,” Malone said. “It’s great to see. ”

Barton appeared in his 18th game back with Denver on Tuesday since finishing surgery rehabilitation after suffering torn hip and core muscles in game-two of the Nuggets’ year. And, a playing style teammate Jamal Murray described as “slithery” and “crafty” materialized. Barton finished several up-and-under layups through traffic and knifed through the lane. He regularly bodied George with a hand in his face on the arc.

“(Barton’s) movement was really good,” Nikola Jokic said. “His cutting to the basket and the paint was being attacked by him, he seems kind of like what we’re used to seeing. He was really good defensively. ”

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Added Paul Millsap: “It’s nothing shocking and nothing new . ”

Barton’s production and energy is a welcomed addition to the Nuggets&rsquo potent offense. It ’s Malone’s job to find more ways to get him the basketball, he said, to allow Barton to score and create plays. He totaled five assists to one turnover against the Thunder. “It’s getting my legs back under me,” Barton said, “feeling comfortable having a good deal of games. ”

Denver, winners of five straight, strengthened its hold of the No. 2 Western Conference playoff spot. And, if Barton’s moxie is any indication, the Nuggets (42-18) lack no confidence in their ability to make a deep postseason run.

“We’re among the best teams in the league,” Barton said. “Night in and night out ve got to keep trying to establish it. We’ve got no fear. ”

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